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Listen To Your News		Tuesday, August 7, 2012		News Archive

DEADLINE TO FILE FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS IS FRIDAY
Local elections are coming; the filing period opened July 16 and runs through Friday, August 10 for 19 seats on seven local elected agencies. For the Yucca Valley Town Council, two terms, those currently held by George Huntington and appointed incumbent Robert Lombardo, are up. On the Twentynine Palms City Council, the terms of John Cole and Joel Klink are up. For Hi-Desert Water District, two seats, those held by Sarann Graham and Bob Stadum, are up, and on the Joshua Basin Water Board, three full-term seats and one short-term seat, filled after the death of Mike Luhrs are up. They are currently held by Bill Long, Mike Reynolds, Mickey Luckman, and appointed incumbent Frank Coate. Joshua Basin General Manager Joe Guzzetta said candidates can choose to run for the long or short term seats. For Morongo Unified School Board, three terms are ending, those of Phyllis Swinnerton, Ron Palmer, and Ed Will. Three terms are also ending on the Copper Mountain College Board—those held by Rita Ramirez-Dean, Owen Gillick, and Dick Rogers. For Hi-Desert Medical Center Board, three seats are open, those held by Paul Hoffman, Pat Cooper, and appointed incumbent Martie Avels. The deadline for filing will be extended to Wednesday, August 15, if an incumbent does not file for re-election. Candidates must be a registered voter within the boundaries of the agency they are running for, at least 18 years of age, and a citizen of the State of California. Information on how to file is available from the secretary of the agencies involved or through the County registrar of voters. A representative from the Registrar of Voters will be at the Yucca Valley Community Center tomorrow from 10 to 3 to help candidates file their election paperwork.

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CORRECTION AND UPDATE TO YESTERDAY'S STORY ABOUT MAN WITH PARTIALLY SEVERED FOOT FROM ORV ACCIDENT
Due to bad information from the California Highway Patrol, we are correcting yesterday's story about the man whose foot was partially severed at the ankle during an off-road accident in Landers Sunday afternoon. Justin Long of Yucca Valley was the driver of the SUV, not the victim, as reported. The injured man is Alex Cox, 21, of Banning. Long was attempting to drive down into a wash in a K5 Blazer Lifted with a convertible top. The banks of the wash were too steep and after sliding sideways, the SUV rolled over. Cox was thrown from the Blazer, and it's believed his foot was partially severed by the cage or roll bars. Cox was flown to Desert Hospital where his leg was amputated 5 inches below the knee.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS COUPLE INJURED IN ROLLOVER CRASH IN WONDER VALLEY
A Twentynine Palms couple was hospitalized after a roll-over accident Monday afternoon. About 12:40 p.m., James Hill, 44, was driving eastbound on Indian Trail just west of Godwin Road about 45 miles per hour when, due to his level of intoxication, he swerved, causing his Ford Ranger truck to fishtail. The truck hit the dirt berm on the north side of the road. The impact caused the truck to roll over several times before coming to rest on its left side. The passenger, Deborah Hill, 51, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center. James Hill was trapped inside the car with major injuries and the Wonder Valley fire department was called to use the Jaws of Life to rescue him. He was taken to the Wonder Valley airport where he was then transported by Mercy Air to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETS TONIGHT
Three public hearings—and a study session on solar fields—are on the agenda at tonight's meeting of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission. An alleyway, a storage and impound yard, and a mini-storage facility will all be discussed. Reporter Dan Stork fills in the details of tonight's agenda...
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission has a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 7, that will start with three public hearings. The first deals with whether the vacation of an alleyway adjacent to the county flood plain easement – per request of the county -- is consistent with the general plan. Next, Joe McNamee has requested approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a towing storage and impound yard at 4949 Adobe Road. Then Greg Bollinger is asking for approval of a mini-storage facility on about 12 acres on Adobe Road, about 2000 feet north of Valle Vista Road. He has submitted revised site, grading and landscaping plans, as previously requested by the Planning Commission. Following the public hearings, there will be a study session on standards and criteria for development of solar fields. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in City Hall on Adobe Road.

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YUCCA VALLEY SALES TAX ON AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
The Yucca Valley Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. tonight in the Yucca Room of the Community Center. On the agenda, the Council will be asked to approve its resolution from its last meeting authorizing a 1 percent sales tax to be placed on the ballot for the November election, and to amend the Town budget to cover the cost of the election and public education of the tax measure. The Council will also be asked to select a new mayor pro tem to take the place of Isaac Hagerman who resigned last month.

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YUCCA VALLEY MAN ARRESTED AFTER TEARING UP APARTMENT
A Yucca Valley man was arrested Sunday after an argument at an apartment complex turned physical. According to a Sheriff's report, Christian Albarran, 19, who was described as being drunk, was arguing with a woman and "tearing up the apartment" in the 6900 block of Mohawk Trail in Yucca Valley. The report states Albarran threatened to jump out a second-story window, and that he cut his hand when he broke a window. Deputies had to hobble Albarran in order to restrain him. Christian Albarran was arrested for investigation of domestic battery. He was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $25,000.

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JOSHUA TREE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOLD FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER
The Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce will be holding Friday night dinners for the next four Fridays. This Friday is dinner, music, and art at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. Here is reporter Diana Jones with your invitation...
The Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce is presenting four events to cool out your August Friday nights. The first dinner will be held at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, by the pool and under the stars, this Friday, August 10. There'll be great music, art by Aaron Hansen, and a dinner prepared by Rosa Ficara. Dinner tickets for each event are $30, and are available at the Joshua Tree Health Food Store, or at the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce (6448 Hallee Road, Joshua Tree). There will also be $10 Art and Music only tickets available at the door. The event starts at 6:30 pm, and dinner will be served from 7 to 8pm. A cash bar is available. For more information, call the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce at 760-366-3723.

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JOSHUA TREE FIREFIGHTERS BUSY WITH SECTION 6 CAMPFIRE, FIREWORKS
Joshua Tree firefighters were busy Sunday. The firefighters first responded to a smoldering campfire in Section 6 about 8 a.m. Sunday morning. Section 6 is a square-mile area of desert conservation area that is often frequented—illegally—by campers. All fires are prohibited in Section 6. Evidently a large party had been held in the area Saturday night, and the partiers had left behind not only a smoldering campfire, but large amounts of trash. Fire Captain Steve Lasiter reminds residents that illegal campfires are not only dangerous—the fire danger is high in our desert—but those responsible can be ticketed by both the fire department and the Sheriff's department.

Then, in addition to going out to Section 6 to put out the smoldering campfire, firefighters were called out three times Sunday night searching for illegal fireworks. The first call came about 7 p.m. in the area of Sunburst Avenue and the highway. The second call was at 9:40 in the area of Mountain View Circle and Desertair Road, and the third call was at 10:05 at Desert Air Road and Valley View Circle. Some residents reported hearing explosions and some privacy fences were slightly damaged from the large fireworks. Captain Lasiter reminds residents that all fireworks, including the safe and sane fireworks, are illegal. Anyone caught with fireworks can be charged with a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and a year in jail. However, if you have a large quantity of dangerous fireworks, the fine could be as high as $50,000 and 3 years in state prison.

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BLOOD DRIVE AT VONS ON WEDNESDAY
Desert Blood Services will conduct a community blood drive in Yucca Valley Wednesday, August 8. Blood donations will be taken at Vons, from 2 to 6 p.m. Local hospitals are experiencing critcially low supplies of type O-negative blood. O-negative is the "universal donor" for red cells and is needed for emergency transfusions when there is not time to determine a patient's blood type. Healthy individuals at least 15 years old may donate blood. All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors receive a free mini-physical as part of the donation process. Donating blood takes about an hour, yet gives someone a lifetime. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 877-827-4376.

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MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETS TONIGHT
The Morongo Unified School District Board of Education gets back to work with a lengthy agenda tonight. Reporter Dan Stork runs down the schedule of items...
MUSD business starts early with a open workshop on Measure O Bond funds at 6 pm. After a closed session to deal with employee discipline, dismissal, and release issues, the Board returns to open session at 7. After approval of contract addenda for the three Assistant Superintendants, and the approval of many course outlines, most of them specific to Twentynine Palms Junior High, it will approve Dona Centner as the Early Start Parent Representative. The following approvals will be for several CAHSEE waivers and for the Regional Occupation Program (ROP) courses. Rounding out the action agenda is settling up vacation pay for selected employees, and the ratification of three additional high school graduates for the class of 2012. Up for review are course outlines in social skills, history, geography, and peer leadership, as well as several classified job descriptions, and board policies on animals in school and transportation for students with disabilities. The Board meets in the multipurpose room at Friendly Hills Elementary School.

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JOSHUA TREE CLEAN TEAM MEETS TOMORROW
The Joshua Tree Clean Team's next clean-up will be on tomorrow, August 8, at the Joshua Tree Post Office. The team meets promptly at 7 a.m. and works for one short hour. There will be trash bags, grabber sticks, gloves and water available to the laborers. Afterwards, the team meets at the Park Rock Cafe for optional coffee, breakfast and conversation. Co-sponsors of the Joshua Tree Clean Team include County of San Bernardino, Waste Management, Z107.7, Park Rock Cafe, Cal Trans, Joshua Tree Park and Recreation, and the Joshua Tree Outfitters. For more information call 760-366-8415.

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DONATIONS NEEDED FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVE-AWAY
The Spirit and Truth Worship Center in Twentynine Palms is hosting its annual Back to School Giveaway. The church will give away backpacks, school supplies, and gently used clothing on Saturday starting at 7 a.m. Last year the church gave away more than 300 backpacks with supplies, and is trying to give away even more this year. But in order to meet its goal, its needs help from members of the community. If you would like to make a donation, call Lois Burton at 760-835-8676, or visit this website for suggestions of what supplies are needed.

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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK OPENS CAMPGROUND FOR METEOR SHOWER THIS WEEKEND
The Perseids meteors are considered by many people to be the year's best shower, and often peak at 50 or more meteors per hour in a dark sky. The Perseids tend to strengthen in number as late night deepens into midnight, and typically produce the most meteors in the wee hours before dawn. These meteors are often bright and frequently leave persistent trains. It'll be a spectacular show in our desert skies all this week, peaking Friday. Assignment reporter Mike Lipsitz scopes out where you can go to watch this year's Perseid meteor shower...
Joshua Tree National Park will reopen its Ryan Campground this weekend to allow more visitors to enjoy the Perseid meteor shower. The 31-site campground, which is usually closed in summer when there are fewer visitors, will be open Friday through Sunday during the annual meteor shower. The meteor shower is expected to peak on Friday night. In addition, Park rangers will offer a program about viewing the Perseid shower Friday night at 8:30 p.m. at the Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms. The meteors will appear to rain down from the direction of the constellation Perseus in the northeastern sky. Perseus rises around 11 p.m. The camping fee will be $10 per night. Ryan Campground will close on the morning of August 13 and will reopen again in the fall. For more information, call 760-367-5500.

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OFFICERS SPOUSES CLUB TO HOLD WELCOME ABOARD NEXT WEEK
The Officer Spouse's Club of Twentynine Palms will hold its Welcome Aboard Fiesta on Thursday, August 16, at the Desert Winds Golf Course. The event will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Officer spouses are invited to attend the event to learn about the different activities sponsored by the club, the opportunities on base, and about the various organizations in the Morongo Basin. For more information, e-mail dough1622@yahoo.com.

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